Whenever we changed schools, we had to make a new set of friends.

Host:
The rain had just stopped, leaving behind a crisp, fresh scent in the air that lingered around the quiet café. Jack sat at a corner table, a half-empty cup of coffee in front of him, his fingers lightly tracing the edge of the cup as his mind seemed miles away. Jeeny sat across from him, her gaze steady, watching him with quiet curiosity, sensing that his thoughts were somewhere beyond the confines of the café walls.

The faint murmur of nearby conversations barely registered, swallowed by the stillness between them, until finally, Jack broke the silence.

Jack:
"I read this quote today by Patrick deWitt," he said, his voice quiet but thoughtful. "‘Whenever we changed schools, we had to make a new set of friends. At the time, of course, I hated it. But looking back now, I’m really glad I did, because it forces independence on you.’" He looked up at her, his eyes a mix of contemplation and something like nostalgia. "You ever feel like that? Like, at the time, something is so uncomfortable, but looking back, it was exactly what you needed?"

Jeeny:
She took a slow sip from her coffee, her eyes still focused on him, understanding exactly what he meant. "I think everyone has something like that. You don’t see the value in it while you’re in the moment, but in hindsight, you realize it shaped you." Her voice softened, a little wistful. "I think it’s part of growing up. You go through experiences that feel isolating or difficult, and then years later, you look back and realize that those moments gave you the strength to stand on your own."

Jack:
He nodded, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, that’s exactly it. It’s like those years of moving around, starting over at different schools, always having to make new friends. At the time, I hated it. Every time, it felt like a fresh start, a new set of challenges." He sighed, his gaze turning inward. "But I think it’s what taught me to adapt — to not rely too much on any one person or place to feel settled. It was the forced independence that made me learn how to stand on my own."

Host:
Outside, the world had begun to shift back into motion as the streets hummed with the rhythms of evening life. But in the café, the words lingered between them, heavy with the quiet understanding of something that had shaped them both in ways they couldn’t yet fully articulate.

Jeeny:
Her eyes softened, and she leaned forward slightly, her voice quieter now, as if this was something more intimate than just a casual conversation. "You know, I think there’s something beautiful about those moments of forced change. We often resist it, but when life pushes us out of our comfort zones, it’s really giving us the chance to discover how much we’re capable of. It’s like you don’t realize how strong you are until you have to face that challenge head-on."

Jack:
He met her gaze, the weight of her words resonating with him. "Yeah, I guess we don’t always choose the challenges life throws at us. But when we look back, it’s those uncomfortable moments that end up teaching us the most." His voice softened, almost like he was speaking to himself now. "When you’re forced to make new connections, to start from scratch, you don’t have a choice but to rely on yourself. And in a way, that makes you stronger."

Host:
The light in the café had shifted with the setting sun, now casting long shadows across the table between them. The weight of their shared conversation felt like it had solidified in the air between them — two people who understood the quiet strength that came from embracing discomfort and the lessons learned in those moments of forced independence.

Jeeny:
She smiled, a knowing smile, like she had seen something in him that he hadn’t fully realized yet. "It’s funny, isn’t it? How life works. We don’t want the change when it’s happening, but then we look back and see how it made us who we are." Her voice was soft, full of wisdom that felt earned over time. "Sometimes, we have to be forced to grow, even if we don’t see it at the time."

Jack:
His eyes softened, his expression more reflective now. "Yeah. And I think I finally get what he meant. The independence isn’t something we choose—it’s something that’s built through the challenges we’re given." He paused, then added with a small, almost self-deprecating smile, "I guess life always has a way of making you stronger, whether you want it or not."

Host:
The moment hung in the air, and for just a beat, the world outside seemed far away. Inside the café, the conversation had woven itself into something more meaningful than just the sharing of words. The quiet strength of independence, forged through change, had found its place in the space between them.

The light continued to dim, the evening deepening, but the warmth from their exchange lingered, as if they both had found something to hold onto — something that would stay with them, long after the conversation ended.